Chapter 692: Blood splattered in the palace, the way of a gentleman

After Emperor Daxing was buried in the coffin, because everyone knew that the sudden death of the emperor was closely related to his excessive sexual indulgence, everyone in the East and West Palaces was in danger - those with children could barely keep their composure, and those without children were in danger.

They didn't have to pretend, they just looked mournful. The more they knew that the crown prince had returned and that the person in charge of the Sixth Palace had been Queen Zhang herself, the more desperate and helpless they felt. They all thought that the emperor had ascended the throne and would have at least ten more years of good life in the future.

, if they had thought that the emperor's body could not withstand such a torment, who would be so stupid and only wanted to tie up the emperor? They are not young girls who just entered the palace and only wanted to be favored!

Compared to other palaces, Changning Palace was silent, or rather lifeless. After Zhu Ning came that day, there were only four people left waiting in the main hall of the huge Changning Palace. At this moment, three of them quietly went outside.

I went to inquire about the layout of the mourning hall, etc., and took the opportunity to find out whether all the people to be buried were decided. The only empty place was Guo Guifei and his confidant maid Ji Xiang.

At this time, Concubine Guo was sitting in front of the dressing table, combing her black hair with a jade comb. She is only in her early thirties, and she is considered young among the concubines of the Sixth Palace of the East and West. Because she has always been good at maintaining herself.

, those low-level concubines who were several years younger than her looked older than her. Gently putting down the comb in her hand, she said to Ji Xiang without looking back:

"In the past, everyone said that the Xu family of the Duke of Wei was the most famous family after the royal family, but now it is the Zhang family of the British Duke. But few people will remember that when Emperor Taizu was still there, the Guo family of Wudinghou was the most famous family.

The title and credit are not as good as those of the Xu family, but the rest are not bad at all. At that time, the Xu family had only one duke, but the Guo family had two marquises."

Ji Xiang has followed Guo Guifei since she entered the palace. He knows that she is smart, kind and flattering, and knows that she can advance and retreat appropriately and is good at soothing people's hearts. However, he has never heard her boast about the family behind her in such a tone. At this time, she couldn't help but be stunned.

.Concubine Guo looked at Ji Xiang's surprised look in the bronze mirror and couldn't help laughing to herself.

"My grandfather and uncle's military exploits were indeed outstanding, but they were nothing among the famous generals who founded the country. If Concubine Ning had not been so favored by Emperor Taizu, they might have ended up like other heroes. Even so,

My aunt married King Ying as his concubine, but because she had no children, she could only watch the feudal kingdom being eliminated. The eldest aunt left a daughter with regrets and committed suicide. My grandfather had twelve sons, and the eldest uncle

I married Princess Yongjia, and my third uncle was appointed the right governor of the central government due to his merits, but my father is just a treasure of the Liao Palace. If I hadn't made him a noble concubine, how would my younger brother have succeeded to the position of Marquis of Wuding last year?"

Having said this, she sighed leisurely: "So, how could a noble house, a large house with dozens of people, be quiet for a day? I grew up in the Liao Prince's Mansion since I was a child, and I also had

After seeing the hardship behind the honor of that princess, I have long understood that a woman can only truly rely on her sons. Finally, I got my wish and had three sons, but both of them have been sick since childhood.

The only one is not a sign of longevity. I can't let them go, but if I live, it will harm them even more..."

At first, she was just surprised, but now Ji Xiang felt more and more ominous the more she heard, and quickly persuaded her: "Mother, please don't worry too much. Although there have been sacrifices since Emperor Taizu, they have always chosen those childless concubines."

, Don’t you think that Concubine Ning died at the end of her life? You still gave birth to three thousand-year-old men. Besides, look at Concubine Li Xian and Concubine Zhang Shun, they are both very peaceful..."

"They have been out of favor for a long time. Now that they are close to the queen, they naturally feel at ease."

Concubine Guo picked up a carved red sandalwood box with nine dragon opera beads from the dressing table, and gently rubbed the pattern on it, as if she had returned to the past: "The emperor and the queen have been married for many years, so naturally I am not as good as me. I can

What I do is just to make the emperor happy, rather than restricting him with those principles and etiquette, so everyone knows that the emperor likes me more. Even if the queen has great power and is deeply loved by Emperor Taizong and the emperor, she has never

I truly understand the emperor’s heart. I am the only one who truly regards him as a husband and a king! Everyone says that I killed him, and now I follow him to accompany him!”

As she spoke, she gently opened the clasp of the box and grabbed the object in it with her right hand. Almost without hesitation, she picked up the sharp dagger and stabbed it deeply with all her strength.

She entered her chest. When Ji Xiang's exclamation sounded from behind, her will gradually became blurred.

Even if she dies, she will not wait for Empress Zhang to use Zhu Gaochi's will to bury her, let alone show her ugly appearance of begging for mercy! As long as her child can live well...

When the news of Concubine Guo's suicide came, Zhu Zhanji was comforting his younger brothers. He was the eldest grandson of the emperor, and he was granted the title of grandson early on. He did not live in the same place as his younger brothers, but he was very fond of his younger brothers.

She was very caring and caring. At this moment, because of the hot weather, everyone was sweating profusely. King Teng and King Wei, who had always been sick, were even more difficult to support. When he heard the news of Concubine Guo's death, King Teng tilted his head and fainted.

After passing by, the King of Liang who was the daughter of Concubine Guo also cried loudly, and the five-year-old King Wei was still confused. Seeing this scene, Zhu Zhanji ordered people to ask for the imperial doctor, and at the same time asked the kings to stay in the palace, while he himself

He hurried to Changning Palace.

At the gate of Changning Palace, he happened to bump into Empress Zhang who had rushed here, and quickly called her mother. Seeing Empress Zhang looking at the blue plaque with gold characters, he couldn't help but feel a little strange, knowing the fame of the harem.

.

"I didn't expect Concubine Guo to be so strong-willed."

Empress Zhang did not expect that Concubine Guo would take such a step silently. She sighed so hard that she didn't know what it felt like. When she and Zhu Zhanji entered the Changning Palace, they learned that the palace maid Ji Xiang was martyred and touched the pillars.

She felt an unspeakable palpitation as she stood in the outermost room, unable to take another step. After standing there in silence for a long time, she turned to Zhu Zhanji and said, "She is also you.

Concubine, you go and see her for the last time. I won’t go, lest I be sad if I see her. King Teng, King Liang, and King Wei are very pitiful. They are all your biological brothers. If there is any reward in the future, you should take care of them.

Do you understand?"

"Yes, I have remembered it."

After Zhu Zhanji returned to Beijing, he had heard some rumors and was naturally very dissatisfied with Concubine Guo. But everyone was dead at this time and he had nothing else to say, so he agreed to his mother's words. Entering the house, he saw the center of the room.

There were two shocking pools of blood in the corner. Even though he had never seen blood, Xiao'er couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. When he came in a hurry, he thought that Concubine Guo Bai Ling had committed suicide, but now he knew that it was with a knife.

, even though he has deep prejudices in his heart, his hatred has turned into horror.

"Concubine Guo was buried in the mountain mausoleum according to the ceremony. Ji Xiang was also buried with honors and her family was cared for. After the funeral, she was temporarily granted the title of Changning Palace!"

Such an episode during the national mourning did not cause much turmoil in Beijing. Even though Guo Guifei was born into a noble family, the Wudinghou family was already a noble family in its past, and the Guo family today has long lost the illustrious power it had during the Hongwu period.

Afterwards, Zhu Zhanji, who was enthroned as emperor according to the advice of hundreds of officials, said goodbye to his concubines one by one. The situation was even more unreasonable for outsiders. Only Chen Wu, who accompanied Zhu Zhanji all the time, knew that the concubines were buried after they were buried.

When he came back from the place, the emperor didn't eat a bite of dinner and didn't sleep all night.

When the new king ascended the throne and granted amnesty to the whole world, he originally wanted to add favors to the old ones. However, when Zhu Gaochi ascended the throne last year, he had already promoted all civil and military officials to high positions. Not to mention Zhang Fu, who had no title, even Yang Shiqi and others were already.

There was no official to be granted, so Zhu Zhanji only rewarded the ministers with official engravings of new books, and also gave various vassals internal and external utensils, etc. Among them, the Han and Zhao vassals were the most generous. And because of Zhu Ning, the Zhou Palace also gave additional gifts.

The annual salary and reward are twice as much as those of Taizu's disciples.

In the harmony, there are also some discordant notes - Liu Guan, the censor of Zuodu, who originally took a boat to slowly go north along the canal, learned the news of the emperor's death, immediately abandoned the boat and went ashore on the starry night. Finally on the 27th

Tian Guo arrived in the capital within a short period of time. However, what awaited him was a cold decree - the Yellow River had been flooded for many years, so Liu Guan, the censor of Zuodu, inspected the Yellow River waterway. He set off immediately on the day he received the decree and could not miss the deadline. In addition, before

Liu Jun, the commander of the Nanjing Jinyi Guards, committed a heinous crime and should be executed. His execution was suspended due to national mourning and he was sent to the Jinyi Guards Prison to await his punishment.

News spreads the fastest in Beijing, and with a decree, the Liu Mansion in Qunli Hutong, which had always been bustling with people, suddenly became a detour. Everyone can see that after three dynasties, he was imprisoned, condemned, and demoted, but always stood tall in the court.

If Liu does not fall, he may really fall in this new dynasty. At the same time, Zhang Yue also received his appointment and will serve as the censor of Zuo Qiandu from now on.

Although Ying Tianfu Cheng is also a fourth-rank official, and the censor of Zuo Qiandu is also a fourth-rank official, Beijing officials and foreign officials have always been different. What's more, now Liu Guan, the censor of the left capital, visits the Yellow River waterway, and Wang Zhang, the censor of the right capital, controls Henan.

Although there are left and right deputy censors at the top, they are all veterans who have always done more than less. Therefore, although Zhang Yue is only an agent, he jumped from a civil servant to Feijing official in his early twenties, which still attracted countless people.

Surprised. Even Yang Rong, Yang Shiqi and other cabinet ministers who have worked with him for many years are also feeling a little emotional in private.

"Emperor Taizong has oppressed you for many years. Emperor Daxing rose up and down again as soon as he came to power. How do you feel now?"

In the evening, he took advantage of the opportunity to visit his father-in-law and mentor. He finally got a chance to have a meal with his mother-in-law, but when he arrived at the study, he was greeted by such an insult. Naturally, Zhang Yue could only smile bitterly. He saw Du Zhen packing things on the desk with an expressionless expression.

, he went up and helped me skillfully, and then sighed: "Sir, please stop teasing me, I can afford this rank, but I can't afford the position of Zuo Qiandu Yushi, and I also know the emperor's temper very well.

, I will never be allowed to take charge of the Metropolitan Procuratorate in the future."

"Oh, so you are asked to join the cabinet in the future, or to be in charge of the six ministries?" Du Zhen asked again lightly, but when he didn't wait for an answer for a long time, he raised his head, "I'm not kidding you, this appointment of ministries and cabinets

No one had any objections during the meeting. After all, no one is blind or deaf. Even if you didn't escort the emperor back safely this time, you should be rewarded for your previous efforts. However, I think you need to think carefully before taking such a step.

It will be difficult to do anything again in the future. I just ask you, do you want to remove this signature now, or do you have other ideas?"

Zhang Yue did not have any psychological burden when playing tricks with others, but he was always honest in front of Du Zhen. Standing in front of this elder whom he respected the most, he explained all his previous plans one by one.

Even his guess about the emperor granting him this position was not missed. At the end, he spread his hands and said: "Although Emperor Taizong has been suppressing the speed of my promotion, to be fair, I was already fast at the first few levels.

If we hadn't laid the foundation later, we wouldn't be as hard to fault as we are now. Besides, Mr. now holds an important position in the cabinet. If I occupy the Metropolitan Procuratorate again, plus my uncle, even if the emperor doesn't doubt it, others will

But he will find fault."

"The Shen family members were worried that you were too aggressive, but now it seems that their worries were in vain." Du Zhen finally showed a smile and nodded approvingly, "The cabinet ministers in the central part of Beijing are all mature and prudent people who are good at making decisions on major affairs. Many of them are

You are not more than you are, and you are less than you are. The emperor cannot always favor you, and there is still the Queen Mother. If you can think of this, I finally did not teach you in vain. Take credit without being arrogant, and face chaos without being impetuous.

When one is able to hold on to fame and wealth, and is able to maintain it despite advancement and retreat, then the scholars and common people will obey him, and he is considered a gentleman."

Du Zhen has always advocated the way of a gentleman, Zhang Yue thought that he had given those eight words as a gift, and now that he heard such a sentence again, he quickly nodded in agreement. Weng and his son-in-law then talked about other situations, and when they mentioned

When it was Wanshijie, which was almost half a year away, the study door was suddenly pushed open with a flurry of people.

"Dad, brother-in-law!"

Xiao Wu, who was dressed in white clothes, looked much slimmer than before, but at this moment, his face was flushed with excitement, and he was holding a piece of paper in his hand: "Someone just dropped a letter on the door and left.

When Uncle Yue sent him in, I saw that it was the master! The master said that Brother Wan is in Helin, and he is very nice now, so I don’t have to worry. Sooner or later, he will catch that guy and give me a good beating to vent my anger!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yue immediately rushed forward and snatched the letter from Xiao Wu's hand. There were only a few words on it, so he just scanned it and read it. When he saw Xiao Wu staring at him fiercely,

, He quickly handed the letter to Du Zhen, and then said with a smile: "Aren't I worried about Lao Wan? This guy is the same, it was Doctor Feng who sent the letter back, and he himself had no news... By the way,

Why did Dr. Feng go north? How did this letter get delivered?"

"Master only mentioned that he didn't want to implicate others by staying here. Anyway, doctors outside the Great Wall are the most popular. He has more freedom there than in the Central Plains..." Seeing Du Zhen read the letter, Xiao Wu quickly took it and carefully

He folded it and hid it in his sleeve, and then said, "The letter was stuffed directly into the door. I don't know how it was delivered, but the master's handwriting will not be fake. By the way, brother-in-law, how are you doing, senior sister?"

The words "senior sister" made Zhang Yue's expression suddenly change. When he saw Du Zhen looking at him, he didn't know how much his father-in-law knew. He suddenly had a headache. Just when he was thinking about how to speak, Mo Yu's low voice came from outside the door.

low voice.
Chapter completed!